Red Carpet Royalty: Cate Blanchett, Michelle Yeoh & Florence Pugh Stun at London Critics’ Circle Awards

The top films of 2022 were celebrated in early 2023 at the 43rd London Film Critics’ Circle Awards, held at The May Fair Hotel in London.

Taking place on February 5, the prestigious ceremony honored standout performances and cinematic achievements from the previous year.

The Banshees of Inisherin emerged as the night’s biggest winner, earning five awards out of nine nominations—including the Attenborough Award for British/Irish Film of the Year. Writer-director Martin McDonagh was named Screenwriter of the Year, while stars Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, and Kerry Condon won in the Actor, Supporting Actor, and Supporting Actress categories, respectively.

Also receiving top honors was Tár, the Oscar-nominated psychological drama led by Cate Blanchett. The critically acclaimed film won Film of the Year, while Todd Field was recognized as Director of the Year, and Cate Blanchett earned Actress of the Year for her commanding performance.

Michelle Yeoh was recognized with the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film, celebrating her decades-long impact on global cinema. Florence Pugh, meanwhile, was named British/Irish Actress of the Year for her standout performances in Don’t Worry Darling, The Wonder, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.

In addition to collecting accolades, these stars turned heads on the red carpet in fashion-forward ensembles that reflected both their personalities and their rising influence in the style world.

Let’s take a closer look at the designer outfits worn by this year’s most celebrated women.

1. Cate Blanchett Recycles Alexander McQueen Suit With Rose Satin Sleeves

She’s no stranger to recycling red-carpet outfits, and Cate Blanchett did it again at the 43rd London Film Critics’ Circle Awards, where she brought back a custom Alexander McQueen suit from 2019.

“From couture to T-shirts, landfills are filled with garments that have been unnecessarily discarded,” the award-winning actress told THR in 2018 of her choice to repeat outfits.

“Particularly in today’s climate, it seems willful and ridiculous that such beautiful garments are not cherished and re-worn for a lifetime.”

Cate Blanchett brings back the custom Alexander McQueen suit she wore to the 2019 New York screening of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” to the 2023 London Film Critics’ Circle Awards at The Mayfair Hotel on February 5, 2023, in London, England (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

The two-time Oscar winner initially wore her McQueen ensemble to the New York screening of “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” in 2019.

A modern business suit, the two-piece black outfit was designed with puff-rose-draped sleeves in blue silk satin, a low-cut neckline, and a nipped-in waist. It was teamed with black straight-leg trousers and finished with black pointed-toe heels for a streamlined look.

Cate Blanchett’s custom black suit, featuring striking blue satin puff rose draped sleeves, a nipped-in waist, straight-leg trousers, and sleek black pointed-toe heels, exemplifies her sophisticated style (Credit: PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

The Paradise Road star kept the rest of her look minimal, accessorizing with just a pair of stud earrings.

She then pulled her blonde tresses back into a low bun, with a side-swept, wavy fringe cascading down the right side of her face. As for her makeup, she opted for smudged eyes with mascara, rosy blush, and pink lipstick.

Cate Blanchett sweeps her fringe to the side and wears smudged eye makeup with pink lipstick (Credit: Stuart Hardy / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

2. Michelle Yeoh Stuns in All-Black Tulle Alexander McQueen Look and Ankle Boots

Striking a power pose, Michelle Yeoh arrived in an all-black Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2023 ensemble that showcased the late designer’s signature edge.

The Everything Everywhere All at Once actress commissioned stylist Jordan Johnson Chung to create the look, which consisted of a voluminous tulle trench coat featuring dramatic puff sleeves and a wide collar. It also came with a waist tie belt that helped accentuate her tiny waist.

Michelle Yeoh pairs a romantic tulle trench coat by Alexander McQueen with edgy ankle boots at the 43rd London Critics’ Circle Film Awards 2023 at The Mayfair Hotel on February 5, 2023, in London, England. (Credit: Stuart Hardy / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Underneath the see-through number was a sleeveless, thigh-skimming black underlay and a pair of black ankle boots that toughened up the romantic vibe of the sheer fabric.

Adding a pop of color to the black outfit, Michelle accessorized with a pair of emerald green sculptural earrings that matched her manicure.

This year’s Golden Globe Best Actress swept her hair off her face into a ponytail and finished the look with mascara, heavy blush, and a swipe of red lip gloss.

Michelle Yeoh pulls her hair into a ponytail and adds a pop of color to her black ensemble by accessorizing with emerald green sculptural earrings (Credit: Stuart Hardy / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

3. Florence Pugh Turns Heads in Red Peplum Robert Wun Gown and Veil Hat

Florence Pugh made an entrance at the May Fair Hotel, arriving in a bright red ensemble from Robert Wun’s Spring/Summer 2023 Couture collection.

Probably her most bizarre look to date, the floor-length gown featured a layered peplum—an early 2010s trend starting to make a comeback this season. It also had a strapless neckline, corset lacing at the back, a column skirt, and a pleated back vent.

Florence Pugh arrives in a red peplum dress from Robert Wun’s Spring/Summer 2023 Couture collection at the 43rd London Critics’ Circle Film Awards 2023 at The Mayfair Hotel on February 5, 2023, in London, England. (Credit: Stuart Hardy / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

While the peplum added an interesting detail to the look, the focal point of the ensemble was the matching wide-brimmed hat with one side turned up, resembling an Australian slouch hat. It came with a floor-length red tulle veil, which completed the “Red Bride” look.

Stylist Rebecca Corbin-Murray accessorized Pugh’s look further with Tiffany & Co. layered gold necklaces, matching bracelets, multiple earrings, and a septum ring.

Florence Pugh completes her striking red bridal look with an Australian slouch hat designed with a floor-length veil, making a bold statement from head to toe (Credit: Stuart Hardy / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

For her glam, hairstylist Hyungsun Ju gave the Midsommar actress a retro look, styling her tresses in a ‘50s side-swept short bob with tucked ends.

Makeup artist Alex Babsky allowed the actress’s natural beauty to shine with minimal makeup, highlighting her eyes with long lashes and adding a swipe of pink lipstick.

Florence Pugh completes the retro look with a side-swept short bob with tucked ends (Credit: Doug Peters / PA Images / INSTARimages / Cover Images)